Somewhere along the line, I didn’t get the memo about my new self.

Take my fears, for instance. I was a fearful child, and grew into a fearful adult. I was scared of people, heights, the unknown, public speaking, the weather, flying – you name it! If I was scared of it, I didn’t want any part of it! I figured I would be fearful my whole life, because that’s just the way I am, right? You, too?

But know this: If there is part of your life that you loathe; part that you want to change but don’t think it’s possible; part of you that says “I can’t change, that’s just the way I am” –  listen to the truth of God’s Word.

In Christ, you are NEW!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Oh, yes, I belong to Christ. I accepted God’s free gift of salvation when I was eleven. Jesus Christ is my Savior. But I never quiet got that whole “new self, old self” thing.

The word for “new” used in this passage is the Greek word kainos which means “original and not of a kind seen before.”

Not ever seen? New, unknown territory? New thoughts, new actions, new responses to old fears and insecurities. Cold sweat breaks out on my forehead; my hands become damp and clammy. Knots tighten in my shoulders at the thought of foraging ahead into the unknown. Have you ever felt like this?

When I finally grasped the significance of my “newness” (I can be a slow learner), I realized that I no longer have to be a slave to my old fears and habits. I am NOT the person I used to be. I am new in Jesus Christ.

But…I don’t want to let the old me go. She is comfortable and safe; like a warm, soft blanket in the winter.

She is all I’ve ever known.

I move forward anyway. In the same way that birds molt their feathers, I began to take tiny steps of faith. Here’s the cool thing about birds molting: it’s a slow, gradual process, that occurs in many phases. Birds rarely shed all their feathers at any one time; they must keep enough feathers to regulate their body temperature. Putting off my old self has been a gradual process.

Would I recommend this process to you? No! Jump out of the nest and soar in your new identity! Walk in God confidence. How? By knowing this:

Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NCV

In Christ, we have everything we need. In Christ, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

In Christ.

In Him we can chose:
Courage, not fear 
Perseverance, not discouragement
Peace, not worry
Purity over lusts of the flesh
Humility instead of pride
Patience instead of anger
Hope over despair

I’m learning to like my “new” self. She’s growing on me. But there are still times she makes me want to run and hide.

What part of your old self are you hanging on to? What do you need to throw off in order to soar in newness?

Grace be with you,